Torch



H. KLEMM mogen Filed June 15, 192'! 2 Sheets-Sheet ,2' l

Jan. 15,7'1929. 1,699,488

tas

Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

vUNF-ren STATES HERMAN KLEMM, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

TORCH.

Application led June 13, 1927. Serial No. 198,454.

My invention 4relates to blow torches, and has for an object the provision of a torch capable of producing an intensely hot flame i .while burning oil of relatively low specific les gravity.

Another object is the provision of a torch having an electrically heated combustion chamber to effect more complete combustion of the fuel and to facilitate lighting the torch .when cold.

My invention possesses other objects and valuable features, some of which will be set forth in the following description of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings 5 forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said description and drawings, as I may adopt varying forms of my invention within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of the torch of my invention, partially in diagram. The plane of section is indicated by the line 1-1 of Figure 2, and fparts are broken away to reduce the length o the figure.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the torch, parts being broken'aw'ay to better reveal the structure and to reduce the length of the gure.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of view of the needle valve used to control the flow of fuel to the burner of my torch.

in terms ofk broad inclusion, the torch of my invention comprises a fuel tank having mounted thereon a nozzle within which air under pressure and fuel of relatively low specific gravity may be mixed, so that a oarburetant capable of burning with an intensely hot flame is produced. Means are provided, preferably on the tank, for supplying air under pressure, and for leading part of the air to the mixing nozzle and part to the lfuel tank, so that pressure is maintained within the tanksuificient to cause fuel to feed to the mixing nozzle. Means arealso provided for heating the air supplied, as well as means for admitting auxiliary air to the mixing nozzle to ensure a suflicent supply of oxygen for the complete combustion ofthe fuel.

in more detailed terms the present embodiment of my invention is a torch comprising an air tight fuel tank or reservoir 6, in the head 7 of which a filling cap 8 is provided.

Upwardly extending flanges 11, preferably integral with the head, provide a mounting for a motor 12, the rotor 13 of which is wound upon a hollow shaft 14. The inner end 16 of thel shaft is connected to the fuel tank through a stufling box 17, carried by the motor housing, needle valve 18, and fuel line 19 leading to the bottom-of the tank through a check valve 21 in the head 7.

A fuel ejecter nozzle 23, having an outwardly tapering bore, is threaded to the other end of the hollow shaft, so that'when fuel oil is fed thereto through the fuel line and rapidly revolving shaft, it is ejected from the jet -by centrifugal force in a highly atomized spiral spray.

Means are provided for mixing air with this spray of fuel and for building up pressure Within the tank to force the fuel to the jet. A. fan runner comprising disks 26 and 27 in parallel and spaced relationship and connected by the radially disposed blades 28, is mounted for rotation with the motor shaft. Thus air is drawn through apertures 29 in the inner end of the motor housing, through the rotor 13 to keep the motor cool, apertures 31 in the outer end of the motor housing, and aperture 32 in the center of the runner disk 27, Where it is caught by the blades 28 and delivered under pressure at the periphery of the runner.- The runner is contained within a housing 36, preferably integral with the outer end of the motor housing and provided with a cover late 37, on the inside of which a plurality o radial guide webs 38 is provided to prevent the air from swirling inside the housing. An outlet for the air is provided comprising an air nozzle 41, retained upon thel conical nose 42 extending from the front face of .the cover plate, by a mixing nozzle 43, threaded to the nose of the cover plate and having an inwardly extending flange 44 engaging an outwardly extending flange 46 on the air n'ozzle. The nose of thecover plate and the air nozzle are so positioned that their axes coincide with that of the fuel ejector, which projects a short distance beyond the mouth of the air nozzle into the mixing nozzle; and the outside diameter of the fuel ejector is only a very little less than the inside diameter of the air nozzle, so that the air issues from the air nozzle in a tubular tream of high velocity from the annular ori- Thus it is seen that the highly atomized fuel spray is thrown from the ejector nozzle v into the surrounding air stream so that a high degree of earburetion of the fuel is attained within the mixing nozzle. To eHect more nearly perfect carburetion, an electrical resistance 49, connected preferably in parallel with the motor through the leads 51 to the motor leads 52, is positioned upon the nose 42 to heat the air passing therethrough. A plurality of auxiliary air inlets 53 are provided in the mixing nozzle so that all the air necessary for complete combustion is mixed with the fuel Within the mixing nozzle.

Means are provided for feeding fuel to theejector through the hollow shaft 14. A conduit 56, threaded at one end to the housinnr 37 adjacent its upper periphery, is secured to the head 7 of the fuel tank by a union 57, so that connection between the housing and the tank is established. Thus pressure is maintained within the closed fuel tank suflicient to force the fuel upwards through the feed line and hollow shaft to the ejector nozzle. The rate of flow, and accordingly the size of the flame thrown by the torch, is readily regulable by the needle valve.

As a result of the rapid rotation of the ejector nozzle and the high degree of carburetion of the fuel, the torch throws a long,

spiral ame of extremely intense heat capable of reachin into places difficult to heat with a Haring game.

I claim: 1. As an article of manufacture, a torch comprising a housing, a mixing nozzle carried by said housing, a hollow shaft jourshaft for supplying air under pressure within the housing, an air nozzle surrounding the fuel ejector for directing part of the air to the mixing nozzle, an'electrical resistance surrounding the air nozzle for heating the air passing therethrough, and a conduit connecting the tank with the housing for diverting part of the air to the tank` 2. As an article of manufacture, a. torch comprising a housing, a mixing nozzle carried by said housing, a closed fuel tank supporting the housing, a motor mounted on said tank, a hollow shaft driven by said motor and journaled in the housing, an ejector nozzle at one end of said hollow shaft and projecting into said mixing nozzle, a fuel line connecting the other end of the shaft with the bottom of the tank, a fan mounted upon the shaft for supplying air under pressure within the housing, an air nozzle surrounding the ejector nozzle for directing part of the an' to the mixing nozzle, an electrical resistance surrounding the air nozzle for' hea-ting the -air passing therethrough, and a conduit connecting the tank with the housing for,l diverting part of the air to the tank..

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

HERMAN KLEMM. 

